Anyone used a dating agency/online dating?

[Mumski]

I'm suddenly back on the market and the idea of dating again is v. scary, but do not want to spend Saturday nights watching the telly arrrrrgh.
has any one used an agency or on line dating? Any experiences gratfully received.

Mumski, I used Dateline a few years back when I suddenly felt like going out again after my divorce.
My experience of it was pretty good - I met about 12 different blokes, some nice, some boring, one eccentric and then one who I subsequently lived with for over 4 years!
My advice would be to use one of the larger well-known agencies, just be yourself, don't expect too much and have fun

I have a friend who used datingdirect.com, and she seemed to have good fun and eventually met nice bloke she is still seeing. It was recommended to her by another friend who is marrying person met on there!!
I think its good as you can contact by messages initially to see if you seem to get on, and hopefully wheedle out dodgy charachters, then take it from there.
Good Luck

Oh, and I have another friend who used another agency (possibly Dateline, not sure) and had a series of disastrous and tedious dates, so no success there.
Mind you, she is still dining out on the hilarious stories ................

I've used quite a few agencies. Don't know where you live but Datingdirect.com has pretty good geographical coverage. If you are looking a bit more upmarket generally then Love&Friends.com is good. I've also tried Match.com but haven't been very impressed.
It is a slightly weird way to date and I wouldn't recommend it if you are feeling a bit fragile. I haven't found anyone yummy yet, but I've had a good laugh and a few good stories out if it.

I did once - wish I could remember the exact website but you answered lots of questions and a bit about yourself then a list of blokes came back with a 'hit' rating of whom you had most in common with. I replied to one that was either 97 or 99% and we met up. What can I say ...he was handsome, honest, adventurous, everything that I expected. We made arrangements to meet again but ended up never meeting again, probably because at the same time I met someone else in a more conventional way and dated him for a few weeks - big mistake for he was a total . I often wonder if the other chap would've been Mr Perfect. I think I had a hangup about doing it in the first place because both of you know that you are there to meet someone rather than playing it coy in a pub or whatever. I'm happily married to another bloke now but occasionally wonder ............... I would say go for it! What is there to lose? I'd do the same again if I was ever back on the market (heaven forbid) because to go through all the usual rigmarole of meeting someone - just seems like too much hassle now.

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I know what you mean the the thought of 'getting back out there' after 20 years is appalling. It probably is far too soon and I am too frail at the mo. But the idea of being on my own on a Saturday night (feeling as if I'm the only one doing it) sucks!
Any more advice and suggestions v. welcome.

Dh was using Avenues whenI met him (not through them). It cost him about £800, which he thought was fine because he really needed to get out and about (on the rebound from a bad experience). But they kept sending him 'matches' that were nothing like his specifications and he got really fed up with it. He asked for a refund as they hadn't stuck to their part of the bargain, but no luck. They were on Watchdog earlier this year!!! Having said that, my friend got chatting to a guy on the internet, flew to the states to meet him a few months later, and now they're happily married over here.

Mumski - please don't worry - you are NOT the only one spending Saturday night in watching telly! I do too...and so does my sister and quite a few of my single friends, and those with children.

When I do eventually get out (about once every 6 months - Christmas and Birthday), I actually can't say that I am having a fantastic time of it. All that posing, dressing up, pulling in of the stomach, spending too much, throwing up, snogging etc. Urghhh! Horrible. I wish I were in with a cuppa and a good film.

Saying that, I have used Dating Direct and Loopy Love - but haven't had much success there either. I met 2 blokes from DD, one was very strange and wanted to marry me on our first date and the other one was gorgeous, but into some very strange sexual practices (verrrrry strange). So no joy there. I have just met a guy on line, 8 years my junior, but to be honest, I can't be bothered with it all. Maybe I am just lazy.

So, anyway please don't feel alone and when you feel ready to try again, good luck!

Mumski, I think most parents spend Saturday night in watching telly. I do know what you mean, though - been 'suddenly back on the market' rather more often than I like to admit, myself and I wanted to send you a hug. Hope life is treating you not too badly. xxxxxx

What about speed dating?
Always struck me as quite a laugh?

Unicorn, yeah I thought that too. My sister looked it up on the web and it does look like the majority of them are held in London...bummer. I have always wanted to do it.

A big shout out to all you lovely ladeeeez in on a Saturday night! We are not alone. x

Apaprently there is now 'naked' speed dating but I think that's a bit extreme.

Mumski - Saturday nights in front of the telly is the new going out. Depending on opportunity you could take up something new which involves a mixed group. I went to a boxercise class for a while - it was about half male/half female but a great bunch of people and a great social life outside the class. Still friends with lots of them. If boxercise ain't your thang, then there are plenty other mixed club possibilities.

Hi Mumski

I used Dateline - and met a wonderful guy - who's now my husband. So it can work. Good luck.

Naked speed dating er can't think of anything worse!!!!!!

lol unicorn

I found my man in the personal ads in a magazine. Dead cheap - only cost me a first class stamp!

I found my man in the personal ads in a magazine. Dead cheap - only cost me a first class stamp!